In a press briefing on March 30th, Governor Hutchinson announced that the statewide mask mandate has been lifted because of the lower number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. He did say during the conference that "this does not mean that the use of the mask will cease." Masks may still be required by some area businesses and Hutchinson said that wearing a mask should be "common sense."
The Governor said that all state employees are still required to wear a mask where social distancing is not a possibility. He did ask Arkansans to please respect the decision of restaurants, salons, event venues, schools, hotels and other local businesses on whether a mask is required at their location or not.
It was also announced that wearing masks in schools will be based on the decision of the individual school board.
Institutions that have the right to require masks:
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Government Buildings
- Salons & Barbershops
- Stores
- Event Venues
- Schools -- that opt to continue mask policy
- Department of Corrections
- Hospitals & Healthcare Providers
Also during the press conference, Governor Hutchinson announced that any Arkansan over the age of 16 may now receive their COVID-19 vaccination, and explained that we want to "maximize every opportunity to get this live-saving vaccine into the arms of Arkansans."
If you would like to schedule for a vaccination, you can call the Vaccine Line at 1-800-985-6030 and they will direct you to a local clinic or pharmacy.
You can watch the full press conference in the video below.